Vietnam Tour 11 Days – Hanoi to Mekong | Ideal Travel Asia

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at NOI BAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Have dinner and enjoy time to relax after your flight. 

Optional experience: Enjoy a Water Puppet Show, a traditional Vietnamese art form showcasing the country’s cultural heritage. Surcharge: VND 200,000 per ticket (approx. USD 8 / EUR 7).

Overnight in Hanoi

Begin the day with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on West Lake. Continue to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, then explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university. After lunch at a local restaurant, take(xich lo - a traditional vehicle), to visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter, passing highlights such as some famous sites such as Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Finally, you will join our guide to try a famous Vietnamese drink called egg coffee. There, you will also experience Vietnamese coffee culture.

Optional experience: Join an Egg Coffee Brewing Class and learn how to make Hanoi’s famous specialty coffee. Surcharge: VND 300,000 per person (approx. USD 12 / EUR 10), including coffee tasting. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

HOA LU – MUA CAVE – TAM COC           (B/L/-) 

Morning: Ancient Capital & Breathtaking Heights

Depart from Hanoi for a scenic 2-hour drive to Ninh Binh province. Your journey begins at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, exploring the historic temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le dynasties while uncovering Vietnam's 10th-century history. Next, head straight to Mua Cave (Hang Múa) before the midday heat. Challenge yourself to climb nearly 500 stone steps along the dragon’s spine to the mountain peak, where you will be rewarded with a spectacular, 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Tam Coc valley.

Afternoon: Regional Delicacies & Timeless River Cruise

After descending the mountain, enjoy a relaxing lunch break at a local restaurant to savor Ninh Binh's most famous regional specialties, featuring authentic, flavorful goat meat dishes (thịt dê) paired with crispy burnt rice (cơm cháy).

Following lunch, transition to Tam Coc and step onto a traditional bamboo rowboat. Let a local rower glide you along the winding Ngo Dong River, passing through three magnificent natural caves and navigating between towering limestone karsts that rise dramatically above the lush rice paddies. Conclude the day with a peaceful drive back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Your journey begins with a morning shuttle bus pickup from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter, heading towards the coast. Arriving at Tuan Chau Port around noon, a speedboat transfers you to the 5-star Luxury Cruise, where a warm welcome drink and a brief safety briefing await. As the ship sets sail, enjoy a delightful lunch while cruising into Lan Ha Bay—a pristine, tranquil extension of Halong Bay filled with thousands of uniquely shaped limestone towers like Finger and Candle Islets. In the afternoon, discover the mystical beauty of the Dark & Bright Cave area, where you can choose to kayak independently or relax on a traditional bamboo boat rowed by locals through a hidden lagoon. Back on board, join the festive Sunset Party on the sundeck. Afterward, the chef will guide you through a hands-on cooking class to master traditional Vietnamese fried spring rolls. The day culminates in a romantic, candle-lit dinner on the sundeck, followed by cultural evening activities including a "Footsteps of Heritage" traditional costume show, squid fishing, or a complimentary herbal foot bath. 

Overnight on board.

Greet the day early with the serene beauty of the bay's sunrise, followed by an energizing Tai Chi session on the sundeck to refresh your mind and body. After a light breakfast of fresh pastries, tea, and coffee, the cruise takes you to the breathtaking Tra Bau area, famously known as a filming location for Kong: Skull Island. Here, you will have ample time to immerse yourself in nature, swimming and kayaking through the emerald, crystal-clear waters. Return to the vessel by 09:00 to pack your bags and complete the check-out procedures. A lavish buffet-style early lunch will be served in the restaurant on the second deck as the cruise leisurely glides back toward the mainland, allowing you to settle any cabin accounts. By late morning, the ship docks at Tuan Chau Port, where your comfortable shuttle bus is ready to transfer you back to Hanoi. Reunite with your tour guide and head to the airport for your onward flight to Danang.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Morning: Ascent to the Clouds & Golden BridgeDepart from your hotel for a scenic drive to the foot of Ba Na Hills. Board one of the world’s longest single-wire cable car systems, gliding over lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls as the air turns refreshingly crisp. Your first stop is the iconic Golden Bridge, held aloft by two giant, weathered stone hands. Walk along this architectural marvel to take in sweeping, panoramic views of the mountains below. Continue your morning with a stroll through the vibrant, French-inspired Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Gardens and visit the serene Linh Ung Pagoda, home to a majestic 27-meter-tall white Buddha statue.

Afternoon: French Village & Alpine PacingSavor a lavish buffet lunch featuring a wide variety of local and international dishes at a hilltop restaurant. Afterward, immerse yourself in the romantic charm of the French Village, designed to replicate a medieval alpine town with its cobblestone streets, gothic-style cathedral, and European architecture. Enjoy free time to explore at your own pace—whether you want to catch a street performance, sip a coffee at an outdoor café, or enjoy the indoor attractions at Fantasy Park. By mid-afternoon, take the cable car back down the mountain and transfer comfortably back to your hotel.Overnight in Da Nang.

After breakfast and checking out of your hotel in Da Nang, your driver will pick you up for a scenic 40-minute drive to Hoi An. Upon arrival, step into a traditional artisan workshop for a hands-on lantern-making class. Under the guidance of a local craftsman, you will learn the delicate art of shaping bamboo and applying colorful silk to create your own authentic Hoi An lantern—a beautiful, personalized souvenir to take home. Following a delightful lunch featuring local specialties, embark on a guided walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town. Discover its UNESCO-listed architectural gems, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, and the ornate Fujian Assembly Hall. Conclude your afternoon at a relaxed pace, perhaps sipping traditional tea at a riverside café while watching the golden sunset over the Thu Bon River. 

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel in Hoi An. After checking out, you will be transferred to Da Nang Airport for your short domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, your Saigon guide will welcome you and escort you downtown to check into your hotel and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring delicate Southern-style specialties at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Colonial Landmarks & Cultural Insights 

Despite its modernity, Saigon exudes a nostalgic charm with its leafy boulevards and colonial-era buildings. Begin your afternoon with a walking tour of iconic downtown landmarks, including the architectural Saigon Central Post Office, the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Independence Palace (former Presidential Palace). Next, visit the War Remnants Museum for a deeply moving and vivid perspective on the war through the eyes of the Vietnamese.

Late Afternoon: Coffee Street Culture & Local Life Conclude your city discovery by immersing yourself in Saigon’s famous street coffee culture. Sit down at a quaint street-side café and gain authentic insights into the energetic daily life of the locals before returning to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

EXPLORE MEKONG DELTA & TRANSFER TO CAN THO    (B/L/-)

Morning: Sacred Temples & River Life 

At 08:00, your guide and private driver will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the Mekong Delta, passing by lush green rice fields. Your first stop is the magnificent Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the most celebrated and architecturally unique ancient temples in the region.Next, arrive in My Tho and board a motorized boat to cruise the Tien River, passing by the scenic Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn, and Tortoise Islets. Step ashore to wander through a local orchard, where you will savor fresh tropical fruits while listening to Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern Vietnamese folk music) performed by the islanders.

Afternoon: The Coconut Land & Journey to Can Tho 

Deepen your exploration by boarding a traditional hand-rowed sampan, gliding smoothly through narrow canals fully shaded by water coconut palms. The boat then cruises into Ben Tre province—affectionately known as "The Land of Coconut"—where you will visit a rustic workshop to see how traditional coconut candy is crafted.After a delightful lunch featuring regional delicacies at a local riverside restaurant, enjoy some downtime to relax on a hammock or take a leisurely bicycle ride around the peaceful village pathways. Later in the afternoon, transfer to Can Tho, the vibrant heart of the Mekong Delta. Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening to explore the charming city and its night market at your own pace.

Early Morning: Cai Rang Floating Market & Artisan Noodles 

Start your day early to catch the most vibrant hours of the famous Cai Rang Floating Market. Board a private boat to witness the fascinating hustle and bustle of river commerce, where hundreds of boats display their fruits and vegetables on long bamboo poles. During the cruise, pull up alongside a local vendor boat to sample a hot bowl of traditional noodle soup or sip a morning coffee right on the water.Continue your boat journey to a traditional Rice Noodle Factory to see the fascinating step-by-step process of making noodles by hand. Before heading back, take a stroll through a bustling mainland wet market filled with colorful stalls of fresh produce and spices.

Can Tho Cultural Tour & Heritage House 

Return to your hotel to freshen up, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, and complete your check-out. Before bidding farewell to the Mekong Delta, embark on a curated city tour of Can Tho. Begin with a visit to the Can Tho Museum, which beautifully showcases the rich agriculture and vibrant river life of the region, as well as the historic, peaceful co-existence of the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer ethnic groups.

Next, head to the iconic Binh Thuy Ancient House. Originally built in 1870 as a sacred place of worship for the family ancestors, this beautifully preserved mansion features a stunning blend of French-colonial architecture and traditional Vietnamese design. Take a peaceful stroll through its historic rooms and lush gardens before boarding your private vehicle for a comfortable transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, you’ll have some free time to enjoy at your leisure. Your private tour guide will then pick you up and transfer you to the airport. Have a safe and pleasant flight home, and we hope to welcome you back soon!